New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba has been fined $5,000 for elbowing Florida Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues.
The illegal hit came with 2:25 remaining in the second period of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final. With a delayed penalty against the Rangers – also called on Trouba – the Panthers moved into the attacking zone. Rodrigues carried the puck toward the slot, sidestepping a hit from the Rangers’ blueliner. Trouba stuck out his elbow, catching Rodrigues in the head and shoulder.
Referees Kelly Sutherland and Eric Furlatt called a major penalty on the play, which allowed them to take a second look via video review. After a few moments, the call was downgraded to a minor penalty for elbowing.
The difference between a major and minor for elbowing is entirely up to the official’s judgment. From Rule 45:
Elbowing shall mean the use of an extended elbow in a manner that may or may not cause injury.
The Referee, at his discretion, may assess a minor penalty, based on the degree of violence, to a player guilty of
elbowing an opponent.
A major penalty, at the discretion of the Referee, shall be imposed on any player who uses his elbow to illegally check an opponent. A major penalty must be imposed under this rule for an infraction resulting in an injury to the face or head of an opponent. When a major penalty is imposed under this rule for an infraction resulting in an injury to the face or head of an opponent, a game misconduct penalty shall also be imposed.
The Referee, at his discretion, may assess a match penalty if, in his judgment, the player attempted to or deliberately
Rodrigues was evaluated by the Panthers’ medical staff; he returned to the ice for the ensuing power play.
Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice passed when asked about the hit.
“I think I’ve got enough on my plate,” said Maurice. “I’m not going to do any refereeing or Player Safety tonight. I’ll stick with the coaching.”
Penalty reviews – unlike those for goaltender interference or offside plays – are handled entirely by the on-ice officials. The Situation Room does not weigh in on the decision, per Rule 20.6:
Referees shall review all plays that result in the assessment of any Major Penalty for the purpose of confirming (or modifying) their original call on the ice.
Such reviews will be conducted exclusively by the Referee(s) on the ice in consultation with other On-Ice Official(s), as appropriate, using the technology specified in and provided pursuant to Rule 38.5. Communication between the Situation Room and the On-Ice Officials shall be limited to contact between the appropriate Game Logger in the Situation Room and the Referee to ensure the Referee is receiving any and all video they might request, as well as the appropriate replay angles they may need to review the penalty call.
There shall be no other contact or consultation between the On-Ice Official(s) and the NHL Situation Room, or with any other non-game participant.
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety felt that the elbow warranted additional supplemental discipline, tacking on a $5,000 fine to Trouba.
“Take the hat, pass it around,” quipped the Panthers’ head coach. “Poor lad. Poor Jake. He won’t be able to eat.”
Trouba is in the fifth year of a seven-year, $56 million contract with the Rangers.
The Blueshirts captain has been fined three times by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety, including a $5000 fine earlier this season for high-sticking Boston Bruins forward Trent Frederic. He’s been suspended twice, both for hits to the head: one against Vegas this past January and once – as a member of the Winnipeg Jets – against then-Senator Mark Stone.
